English Station | New Haven Urban Design League

For more than two decades the League has been deeply engaged in advocacy work around English Station, which has been described as the “Crown Jewel” of New Haven because of its distinguished design and iconic prominence on the city skyline. Though long neglected, the decommissioned power plant’s critical significance as the linchpin for the revitalization of New Haven’s post-industrial landscape. The League has brought together neighborhood leaders, environmental experts, architects and engineers to weigh plans for its future including remediation and reuse of this landmark site.

Unexpectedly, the City is now considering demolishing this important community asset, and replacing it with an outdoor swimming pool. While it is great that others are bringing their perspectives out for public discussion, we understand that the benefits of remediating and reusing the building to serve vital community needs far out weighs the use of this site solely for a swimming pool. There is only one English Station, and many other sites (and better sites) to locate a swimming pool.

We are committed to continuing our well-grounded work with the community, remediation specialists, architects, engineers, economic revitalization experts, to examine the many options for reuse. One of the things we are most proud of is the trust we have from the community — this is our greatest asset. We are glad we have this trust.

This Spring, we will continue our popular tours, that will include leaders from the New Haven Bioregional Group, Fair Haven Community Management Team, Junta for Progressive Action, The Proper People, Mill River Trail Association, Mill River Watershed Association, Save the Sound, and UConn CIRCA.

We also look to hold the first of our English Station community workshops to bring people from the Fair Haven neighborhood and across the city deeper into planning the future of this exceptional waterfront place. The League needs your support and help, now more than ever as the opportunity grows for this landmark site to be transformed to a celebrated asset for the Fair Haven neighborhood and the whole city.

IDEAS FOR ADAPTIVE REUSE

We have been working for more than two decades to ensure a comprehensive clean-up of English Station that will protect neighbors and the environment, as well as preserving the important historic resources on the site. Read some of our comments on potential adaptive reuses of English Station here. You can also find a compendium of power plant adaptive reuse case studies below.

WALKING TOURS: Fall 2024 English Station Walking Tours Were a Great Success! Thank you for joining us.

Click Here, Here and Here for More About English Station Walking Tours